There's been a lot of hand-wringing and soul searching about the state of the NHS and how it can best respond to the challenges ahead; and the contribution of the service user, or citizen, in meeting those challenges is gaining more attention.

Professor Adrian Blackledge presents findings from the TLANG research as evidence provided to the Everyday Entrepreneurs Inquiry of the All Party Parliamentary Small Shops Group at the House of Commons.

Dr Graeme Douglas and Rachel Hewett from VICTAR along with Rory Cobb and Sue Keil from the RNIB recently ran a joint conference to share the findings of on-going research on the post-16 transition experience of young people with vision impairment.

Written by Chris Game. "Cornwall leapfrogs West Midlands in devolution race" was the headline over one report of the Government's recent devolution deal with Cornwall Council, giving the county greater control over adult skills spending and regional investment, and, with the Isles of Scilly, the prospect of integrating health and social care services.